Liverpool goal tally has taken a huge dip last season as they scored a mere 50 odd goals when compared to a whopping 100 goals a season prior to that. The Reds are looking to sign a proven quality and have set their sights on Christian Benteke. Tim Sherwood, who took over as manager of Aston Villa this January is keen on to hold on to his prized possession who scored 12 goals in 12 appearences during the business end of the season helping Villa to reach FA Cup final.

“I looked the other day. I think they’ve got six or seven strikers at the club now. I’m not sure how many they actually need,” Sherwood said. “We know Christian is a very good player and we want to keep hold of him. If someone matches that buyout clause, there’s nothing we can do about it. But until that happens he’s an Aston Villa player and we’re all very pleased about that.

“I think Christian is worth more than £32 million. But we don’t want to sell him. We don’t want the £32 million. It’s very hard to spend that sort of money. When you’re losing a player and trying to bring in someone to subsidise it, it’s almost impossible.” The manager also revealed that current owner Randy Lerner is unwilling to sell the club in the near future after takeover talks came to an end recently.

“I think it’s dead now, to be honest,” Sherwood added. “It was fairly live and I think the people who were talking are now not there. “The chairman is picking it up and running with it now. I’m not sure if anyone is too close now. Until it’s done it’s never there. Randy hasn’t said [it’s over] but he is the one who is making the decisions regarding the players. He is willing to back us to the hilt. “But he can only back us to the tune of financial fair play. That means there might have to be some exits from the club before we can get in some more.”